Aston Villa edged out West Bromwich Albion in a thrilling Midlands derby at Villa Park.
The away side took a 2-0 lead through Chris Brunt's volley and Fabian Delph's own goal, but Villa staged a comeback and equalised when Leandro Bacuna bundled the ball in.
The hosts then took the lead when Delph fired home. However, an end-to-end first half continued to entertain as Youssuf Mulumbu slotted in to make it 3-3 at the break.
The second half was quieter and Christian Benteke won it from the penalty spot.
Read how the action unfolded below.
Hello and welcome to another evening of Premier League football on Sports Mole. Our focus here is on Aston Villa's clash with Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion.
It's sure to be a feisty match at Villa Park, with both sides in need of three points. As I mentioned in the introduction, both are looking nervously over their shoulders at the bottom three.
However, it's a derby, so we can throw the form book out of the window. These two West Midlands rivals have been locking horns on a regular basis for 129 years, but recent history has been littered with draws.
However, let's check on the teams before we look deeper into the match stats and build up.
ASTON VILLA: Guzan; Lowton, Vlaar, Clark, Bertrand; Westwood, El Ahmadi, Delph, Bacuna; Weimann, Benteke
SUBS: Steer, Baker, Sylla, Helenius, Albrighton, Holt, Tonev
WEST BROMWICH ALBION: Foster; Reid, Lugano, Olsson, Ridgewell; Morrison, Yacob, Mulumbu, Brunt; Anichebe, Anelka
SUBS: Myhill, Dorrans, Amalfitano, Vydra, McAuley, Billy Jones, Berahino
The bad news for Villa is that Gabriel Agbonlahor is missing, so Matthew Lowton replaces him as Paul Lambert shuffles his team shape.
West Brom's team shows two changes, with Youssouf Mulumbu and Victor Anichebe in for Zoltan Gera and Matej Vydra. However, Nicolas Anelka does start up front.
The last time these two met, they played out a 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns. The Baggies had a 2-0 lead, but Villa staged an impressive comeback to pick up a point.
As I said just before the team news, this fixture has produced a number of draws in recent history. Every one of the last 15 encounters has ended either as a draw or with a 2-1 scoreline, while that 2-2 in November was the fourth match in a row that has ended all square.
So, what can we expect from tonight? Well, Villa's home form has been extremely poor this season. They have scored just eight goals and picked up eight points from 11 games at Villa Park, which is the worst record in the Premier League.
They did manage an impressive 2-2 draw against Liverpool in their last fixture, but just one win in six means that Lambert's men are currently lacking confidence.
Despite their poor recent run, Lambert believes that form will count for little this evening. "In a derby game anything can happen. It doesn't matter who is on form or who is not," he told the Birmingham Mail. "We've got a lot of confidence at the minute from the other week at Liverpool and that’s evident.
"The atmosphere won't need lifting. It will be there anyway. We'll have the majority on our side this time. They'll get right behind us, I've got no doubt about that. We're playing well going into this game. It's important for the supporters to earn those bragging rights," he added.
Of course, gaining those "bragging rights" in a derby is very important. Coupled with Villa's well-documented home form, it all adds up to a must-win for the home side, and Lambert has told his players that they need to produce for the fans.
"You want to give your home fans a win - that's your majority," the Villa boss told the club's official website. "The away supporters are great, always have been and always will be. But it's the home fans that you try and appease. That's something we have to rectify."
Away dressing room ready for the mighty baggies #avfc v #wba pic by @AdamFradgley @WBAFCofficial #coyb pic.twitter.com/1MvvPRsOGx
— Adam Fradgley (@AdamFradgley) January 29, 2014
Lambert has also had his say on West Brom's new manager, Pepe Mel, saying that his appointment could make it a tougher game. "It could be harder for us, preparing to face a team with a new manager," he told Sky Sports News. "His reputation is there for everybody to see, and what he's done in Spain. It's new to him. The league's new to him. West Brom is new to him. We'll see."
And we'll stick with Mel and West Brom for the next few minutes. Their recent form doesn't make for easy reading, either. In 12 league matches they have won just once, with only one clean sheet in 13.
They have lost only one in six, however, so it's not all bad. Their main issue this season has been a lack of goals throughout the team. In 22 league matches they have scored just 24, and Saido Berahino is the top scorer with four.
But what about Pepe Mel? He picked up a draw against Everton in his first match in charge, but it's very early in his Baggies career. A win tonight would be the perfect way to introduce himself to the West Brom fans, though.
The former Real Betis coach admitted this week that he tried to sign Christian Benteke while at his former club. "I actually asked Real Betis to buy Benteke, but he was very expensive! In Spain, we played with a system using wingers and we needed someone in the middle to put the ball in the back of the net – Benteke plays this role very well," he told The Express.
Newboy @ryanbertrand3 warms-up ahead of his home debut. #AVFCLIVE #WBA pic.twitter.com/7DK5l3ccWK
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2014
BOING BOING! This will warm the hearts of West Brom fans. Mel has declared that he wants to get them "boing boinging". "Derbies are very enjoyable when you win, and I hope we can get the Albion fans ‘Boing Boinging’ afterwards," he told the club's official website.
PREDICTION! The players are on the pitch, so it's time for a prediction. I'm going to sit on the fence and go for another draw, which won't surprise you. However, I think we'll have goals, so I'll say 2-2.
Both sets of fans are making lots of noise at Villa Park. They are up for it tonight!
KICKOFF! The away side get us underway!
It's a bright start for Villa in the early stages, with the home side seeing plenty of the ball. However, no chances yet for either side.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-1 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Brunt)
WHAT A GOAL! Chris Brunt has given West Brom the lead with a stunning long-range volley. It was Villa's throw, but they lose the ball and eventually it comes for Brunt. The midfielder appears to have no chance of scoring, but the ball sits up nicely and he hammers it into the top corner.
Brunt is almost in again, but Brad Guzan is out quickly and gets to the ball first. The home fans aren't happy, but credit to West Brom for the way they have started.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 0-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Delph OG)
It's 2-0 at Villa Park, but it's far too easy for the away side. A free kick is played short and James Morrison has space in the box to pick out a teammate. It hits Delph and diverts past Guzan. The home fans are stunned.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 1-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Weimann)
What on earth is happening here!? We've got our third goal of the night with just 11 minutes played, and Villa are back in it! The Baggies don't deal with a ball into their box and it bounces for Weimann, who has plenty to do but lifts his shot over Foster. Another great finish.
Lambert has removed his coat and is down to a jumper and shirt. It's raining heavily, so he's a brave man.
The match has settled down since Villa's goal. Nicolas Anelka just had a free kick saved, but it was a poor effort and simple stop for Guzan.
CHANCE! Forget what I just said! Villa almost make it 2-2 as Leandro Bacuna pushes his way through the away defence. His shot goes just wide of the post, however.
CHANCE! Both sides have clearly forgotten how to defend. Leandro Bacuna has room down the left flank and Foster has to come out to meet him. The attempted lob is headed out for a corner, and Weimann's shot is then saved.
WIDE! Now it's West Brom's turn to threaten. Anelka wins a 50/50 challenge and finds Morrison, who curls wide from just outside the box.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 2-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Bacuna)
This is extraordinary. It's 2-2 after only 24 minutes! What a game. Lowton delivers a fantastic ball into the area and there is Bacuna to bundle the ball home. Villa are oozing confidence.
WEST BROM SUB: Morgan Amalfitano replaces Nicolas Anelka, who picked up an injury in that 50/50 challenge earlier.
Right, hands up. Who predicted that it would be 2-2 with 24 minutes played? Certainly not me. West Brom have struggled to deal with Villa in the wide areas since their second goal. Welcome to the Premier League, Pepe Mel.
West Brom have shaded possession in the opening 30 minutes, but Villa are certainly more dangerous around the box. However, the Baggies have a free kick now.
The ball is flicked on, but it goes over Guzan's bar. I'm reluctant to say that the match has settled down, and just as I type that the away side win a corner.
The big boys from the back are up for West Brom, but the ball in doesn't beat the first man, which must be hugely frustrating. Villa counter attack and now they have a corner!
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 3-2 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Delph)
This is a remarkable football match. Benteke lobs the ball to Delph, who easily beats Steven Reid and hammers a shot in off the crossbar. Another fantastic goal!
Mel isn't happy in the dugout, and he has every right to be furious with how his players have fallen apart since going 2-0 ahead. They have been all over the place at the back, but credit must go to Villa.
GREAT SAVE! It's nearly four for Villa but Foster saves his side with a great stop to deny Benteke after the striker was allowed to run through on goal.
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 3-3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Mulumbu)
I'm lost for words now. Some slick passing in midfield frees Morrison, who then plays in Mulumbu. He stays calm and rolls the ball under Guzan. Shocking defending from Villa this time!
We've got three minutes of stoppage time at the end of an incredible first half.
HALF TIME: ASTON VILLA 3-3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
I'm not sure where to start after that first half. Villa must have feared the worst when they went 2-0 down with nine minutes played, but they roared back and moved 3-2 ahead with a stunning comeback. However, they switched off again at the back and Youssouf Mulumbu slotted in. The defending has been terrible.
It's all to play for in the second half, but I'd put Villa as slight favourites. But only just!
BENCH WATCH: The home side can call on the likes of Grant Holt, Yacouba Sylla and Marc Albrighton, while West Brom have Matej Vydra and top scorer Saido Berahino on the bench.
As it stands, Villa are 10th in the league, while West Brom are 13th. However, I'd be amazed if this match stayed as it is.
STATS: Villa had seven shots compared to West Brom's five. However, the away side had more possession.
KICKOFF! Villa get us going in the second half.
No chances yet in this second half, but I'm sure that will change very soon.
Ridgewell almost gets in for West Brom, but his touch is heavy and Villa can clear. The counter attack is on, but the pass to Benteke is poor and it goes out for a throw in. See, I told you.
It's been a quieter match since the break, but I suppose that is to be expected after the drama of the opening 45 minutes. Lambert has put his coat back on, but I'm sure his team went 3-2 up when he didn't have it!
SAVE! Here we go! Morgan Amalfitano has a shot from distance and it looks like a simple save for Guzan, but the ball moves at the last moment and the Villa goalkeeper only just keeps it out.
MISS! What a miss this is. Chris Brunt delivers a wonderful, curling free kick to the back post where Diego Lugano is waiting unmarked. However, he directs his header wide. It should be 4-3 to the Baggies.
PENALTY SHOUT! Amalfitano goes down inside the area but Mark Clattenburg waves play on. There was some contact, but not enough for a penalty.
There is some concern on the West Brom bench as Claudio Yacob is down hurt. I think he is holding his shoulder, although it's not clear. He's up and looks fine to continue.
Morgan Amalfitano has been heavily involved since the break, and this time he thinks he deserves a corner following good skill down the right. However, Villa get the decision, although the Baggies aren't happy about it.
PENALTY TO VILLA!
GOAL! ASTON VILLA 4-3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION (Benteke PEN)
Diego Lugano has his arms all over Christian Benteke in the box and Clattenburg correctly points to the spot. The Villa man picks himself up and fires the ball into the bottom corner.
VILLA SUB: Grant Holt is on for his home debut, replacing Matthew Lowton.
BOOKING! Diego Lugano goes in the book for arguing with the ref. He needs to be careful now.
BOOKING! Chris Brunt kicks out at Delph and gets a yellow.
CHANCE! Villa are eager for more goals and Benteke has space in the box, but his touch is heavy and Foster races out to get a foot to the ball. Villa want another penalty, but it was good goalkeeping. He saves his side again.
OVER! Despite being second best since the break, West Brom are still a threat and Victor Anichebe hammers a shot over the bar from outside the box. Villa must be careful not to lose concentration at the back as they did in the first half.
#AVFC 4-3 #WBA - MATCH PIC: Christian Benteke wins a penalty as Diego Lugano drags him to the ground. #AVFCLIVE pic.twitter.com/0DcYx38Kvq
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2014
SUBS: Berahino is on for Reid for the Baggies, while Sylla replaces El Ahmadi for Villa.
The introduction of Berahino is a positive one for West Brom, who have failed to create much in the second half. Villa are comfortable at the moment, but Berahino is a dangerous player.
SUBS: Nathan Baker replaces Andreas Weimann as Villa look to see the game out, but West Brom bring on Matej Vydra for Anichebe. We're into the last 10 minutes.
There is no doubt that the second half has been much quieter than the first, but we still have time for more goals at Villa Park. Whatever happens in these final minutes, it's been a memorable match.
#AVFC 4-3 #WBA - Attendance is 36,083. #AVFCLIVE
— Aston Villa FC (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2014
PENALTY SHOUT! Mark Clattenburg has another decision to make as a West Brom man goes over in the box. Again there was some contact, but probably not enough to warrant a penalty.
The clock is ticking and West Brom have run out of ideas. They are going direct, but Anichebe isn't on the pitch, and Vydra and Berahino are easily beaten in the air.
BOOKING! Grant Holt is booked for diving after going down too easily.
We've got four minutes of added time!
West Brom have a free kick about 45 yards from goal. They must get it in the box.
That is cleared, but the ball comes back in and now the Baggies have a corner!
Foster is up for the set piece but again it's cleared. Another cross comes in, but Lugano's header is wide. Villa are nearly there.
FULL TIME: ASTON VILLA 4-3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION
There's the full-time whistle and it's all over at Villa Park! What a truly captivating match that was. A true Premier League classic.
West Brom stormed into a 2-0 lead but were soon pegged back as Villa staged an unlikely comeback to lead 3-2. However, they switched off at the back and Mulumbu made it 3-3 before the break. The second half was much more sedate, but Christian Benteke won it for the home side from the penalty spot.
Well, my fingers hurt after that 90 minutes, so I'll say goodbye from Villa Park. Thanks for joining me!
Written by
Gary Peters
Gary Peters
